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Post-Sextortion Confession, Letterman Apologetic To Wife, Staff
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 6, 2009
Modified Oct 6, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 6, 2009
Modified Oct 6, 2009
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In his first live show since telling America that he was being extorted for $2 million—over details about his sexual relationship with staffers—David Letterman was greeted by an enthusiastic audience and said, "Did your, did your weekend just fly by?... I'll be honest with you, right now I'd give anything to be hiking in the Appalachian Mountains." His monologue (video below) was jokey, noting how he was very close to being impeached, raking his hate mail over the weekend and how usually he's shaken down for money by relatives, but at the desk he later apologized to his wife and his staff.
Referring to wife Regina Lasko, whom he married earlier this year after being together since 1986, Letterman said, "She has been horribly hurt by my behavior, and when something happens like that, if you hurt a person and it’s your responsibility, you try to fix it. And at that point, there’s only two things that can happen: either you’re going to make some progress and get it fixed, or you’re going to fall short and perhaps not get it fixed, so let me tell you folks, I got my work cut out for me.” Here's video of that apology:
Apology to his wife and staff:
Opening monologue:
The extortion plot was allegedly conceived by 48 Hours producer Robert Halderman, whose ex-girlfriend Stephanie Birkitt was a Late Show intern and one-time Letterman squeeze. Letterman also apologized to his former and current staffers, who have been bombarded by the media ever since his confession, “I’m terribly sorry that I put the staff in that position. Inadvertently, I just wasn’t thinking ahead. And, moreover, the staff here has been wonderfully supportive to me, not just through this furor, but through all the years that we’ve been on television and especially all the years here at CBS, so, again, my thanks to the staff for, once again, putting up with something stupid I’ve gotten myself involved in."
And for good measure, Letterman apologized to Sarah Palin again.
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david letterman
extortion
late show
late show with david letterman
Robert Halderman
Stephanie Birkitt
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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